Part of 1MDB loan went into Najib's account, analyst tells court


BERNAMApic

KUALA LUMPUR: More than £9.45mil (RM51.57mil at the exchange rate then) of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) money was deposited into former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private account in 2014, the High Court here heard.

Bank Negara Malaysia analyst Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan, 29, said the money came from foreign firms Blackrock Commodities (Global) Ltd and Vista Equity International Partners, companies controlled by Eric Tan Kim Loong, who is alleged to be an associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

The 47th prosecution witness said the money was deposited into Najib’s account, ending with "880”, between June 23 and Dec 17, 2014.

"Blackrock transferred £750,000 (RM4,093,500) on June 19, 2014, while Vista Equity transferred £8,706,021.92 (RM45,825,918.13) into the same account through five transactions,” he said in court on Thursday (Sept 21).

According to the prosecution's opening statement at the beginning of the trial in 2019, it contended that the said amount (£9.45mil) was originally from 1MDB through its subsidiary, 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, where it obtained two loans totalling US$1.225bil from Deutsche Bank Singapore.

Adam Ariff also said Najib’s "880” account had RM100,000 before the transferred £750,000 came in.

The witness said this when verifying the money trail report at Najib’s trial involving the alleged misappropriation of RM2.3bil of 1MDB funds.

The former prime minister, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3bil belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial before Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues on Oct 9. – Bernama

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

Selangor centreback loses motorcycle, passport and bags in burglary
Malaysia’s giant softshell turtle on the brink of extinction
Several areas in Perak hit by flash floods after heavy rain on May 22
Do you know ... about Ulek Mayang dance?
PM Anwar congratulates Malaysian sepak takraw team over World Cup feat
INTERACTIVE: More Malaysians are voicing political views online since the pandemic
Clear the air on diesel decision, say experts
It’s all over for some contract docs
M’sian-born CEO paid more than tech titans
Nightspot raid leads to arrest of 11 Filipinas

Others Also Read